What are the responsibilities and job description for the Firefighter/Paramedic position at City of Crystal Lake?
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department has been approved by City Council to increase their overall staffing numbers. Testing is being conducted to fill nine (9) current full-time Firefighter/Paramedic vacancies. This test will also be used to establish an Eligibility List for future available positions.
City of Crystal Lake Employment Application Deadline:
Monday, March 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. CST
National Testing Network Written Exam Deadline:
Must be completed through the National Testing Network by
Monday, March 3, 2025 5:00 p.m. CST. www.nationaltestingnetwork.com
Score must be submitted to Crystal Lake via the National Testing Network by March 3, 2025 5:00 p.m. CST.
CPAT (must include Ladder Climb): Must be dated between 3/3/24 - 3/3/25
CPAT testing dates fill up fast, so do not delay scheduling your CPAT exam.
EMT Certification Requirements:
To apply, click the green "" button in the top right corner.
Please note - The following documents MUST be uploaded to your application:
Questions:
Contact Julie Meyer, Director of Human Resources
jmeyer@crystallake.org
(815) 356-3653
About the Fire Rescue Department
The City of Crystal Lake is located in McHenry County, approximately 45 miles northwest of the City of Chicago. The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department provides service for the City of Crystal Lake, the Crystal Lake Rural Fire Protection District, the Village of Lakewood, and portions of Lake in the Hills. The area served is approximately 51.2 square miles, with a resident population of nearly 56,000 based on the 2010 census.
The City of Crystal Lake is the largest city in McHenry Country, and the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department’s service area includes four U.S. highways, a railroad (Union Pacific), three large lakes (Crystal Lake and Three Oaks Recreation Area), and McHenry County College.
Minimum Qualifications
For candidates with only a National Paramedic License (National Registry):
You are required to obtain an Illinois EMT or Paramedic license. Please visit https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/emergency-preparedness-response/ems/licensing.html and/or work with the organization from which you were sponsored to begin this process. Proof of such request from IDPH is required prior to the written exam and the actual Illinois Paramedic license will need to be provided prior to hire date.
See above minimum qualifications and additional requirements/certifications.Selection Process:
Each phase of the process is pass/fail and required to proceed to the next. Candidates who successfully pass the written exam will be invited to participate in an on-site interview to be held in October. An eligibility list of applicants will be established in numerical order based on a minimum passing score on the written examination and oral interview, which we anticipate posting by November. The Eligibility List is valid for a period of two years from the date of certification or until the list is exhausted. Further participation in our process will take place as vacancies occur. Applicants will be invited, in rank order, to participate in and successfully advance through the following steps:
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department accepts for employment and promotes its employees without regard to perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military status, order of protection status, physical or mental handicap unrelated to ability to perform the essential job functions or any other status or class protected by federal, state, or local law.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department bases its hiring practices and promotions on merit, experience, education and other qualifications applied to all applicants and in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity and as required by any other applicable federal, state, or local law.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons needing accommodations in the recruitment process should notify the City of Crystal Lake Human Resources Department in advance.
All information contained in or connected with this application will be considered personal and confidential to the extent possible or permitted by law and used only in conjunction with your possible employment by the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department. Please furnish us with complete information as outlined in this application.
THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
CPAT/Ladder Climb Tests
Since 2011, Illinois has required that all applicants testing for Firefighter must successfully complete physical agility and ladder climbing tests. Tests are graded only as pass/fail, but you must pass both the physical agility and ladder climb portions to move on to the next step of the process.
What is the CPAT?
The CPAT is designed to assess your physical capacity to perform he tasks ordinarily performed by a Firefighter while on the job. During the test, you will perform a series of events that simulate firefighting activities, which will test your ability to perform a Firefighter’s job. The abilities that will be tested include cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, muscular endurance and flexibility.
Where Do I Take It?
The CPAT and Ladder Climb tests are offered at the following locations in Illinois:
Please Note: The City of Crystal Lake does NOT coordinate the CPAT testing. To register for testing and to obtain information about dates and fees, contact the above organizations directly. Each individual applicant is responsible for their own CPAT testing. The City of Crystal Lake is NOT affiliated with any CPAT testing center and does not offer this test.
What Is on the CPAT?
The CPAT consists of eight critical physical tasks that simulate actual job duties on the fire ground. Candidates must successfully complete the following:
Illinois law also requires that all new Firefighter candidates must also successfully complete a ladder climb exercise and demonstrate an ability to operate from heights. A certification of completion will be issued to those who successfully complete the exercise. Candidate success is measured on a pass/fail basis. If you are completing the CPAT in a location other than Illinois, ask your facility if they offer this test.
City of Crystal Lake Employment Application Deadline:
Monday, March 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. CST
National Testing Network Written Exam Deadline:
Must be completed through the National Testing Network by
Monday, March 3, 2025 5:00 p.m. CST. www.nationaltestingnetwork.com
Score must be submitted to Crystal Lake via the National Testing Network by March 3, 2025 5:00 p.m. CST.
CPAT (must include Ladder Climb): Must be dated between 3/3/24 - 3/3/25
CPAT testing dates fill up fast, so do not delay scheduling your CPAT exam.
EMT Certification Requirements:
Must have Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) EMT-Basic License at time of application. Applicants are required to be Nationally Paramedic certified (National Registry) with the ability to obtain IDPH EMT-Paramedic Certified by date of hire.
Salary Range:
Effective May 1, 2024: $79,262 - $116,975 (8 steps)
Effective May 1, 2025: $81,628 - $120,497 (8 steps)
To apply, click the green "" button in the top right corner.
Please note - The following documents MUST be uploaded to your application:
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship
- Valid driver's license
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Illinois EMT-B or EMT-P
- National Registry Paramedic License (if obtained)
- CPAT Card (dated between 3/3/24 - 3/3/25)
- CPAT Ladder Climb (dated between 3/3/24 - 3/3/25)
Questions:
Contact Julie Meyer, Director of Human Resources
jmeyer@crystallake.org
(815) 356-3653
About the Fire Rescue Department
The City of Crystal Lake is located in McHenry County, approximately 45 miles northwest of the City of Chicago. The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department provides service for the City of Crystal Lake, the Crystal Lake Rural Fire Protection District, the Village of Lakewood, and portions of Lake in the Hills. The area served is approximately 51.2 square miles, with a resident population of nearly 56,000 based on the 2010 census.
The City of Crystal Lake is the largest city in McHenry Country, and the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department’s service area includes four U.S. highways, a railroad (Union Pacific), three large lakes (Crystal Lake and Three Oaks Recreation Area), and McHenry County College.
- Three Stations
- Responded to 7,636 calls in 2024
- 71 Personnel
- Specialty Teams include Dive Rescue, Technical Rescue, and Hazardous Materials.
Minimum Qualifications
- Valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) including ladder climb issued by a licensed agency no more than 12 months PRIOR to March 3, 2025 (CPAT cards must be dated between 3/3/24 - 3/3/25)
- Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) EMT-Basic License at time of application
- Applicants are required to be Nationally Paramedic certified (National Registry) with the ability to obtain the IDPH EMT-Paramedic Certified by date of hire.
- Applicant must be 20 years of age at time of application deadline (must have reached age 21 by date of hire) and under 35 years of age at time of application deadline, except as otherwise determined by State Statute.
- U.S. Citizenship
- No Felony Convictions
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Valid Driver’s License
- Ability to speak, read and write English
- Meet Visual Acuity Standard of correctable to 20/100 in each eye uncorrected, correctable to less than 20/40 and able to meet vision standards (NFPA 1582).
For candidates with only a National Paramedic License (National Registry):
You are required to obtain an Illinois EMT or Paramedic license. Please visit https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/emergency-preparedness-response/ems/licensing.html and/or work with the organization from which you were sponsored to begin this process. Proof of such request from IDPH is required prior to the written exam and the actual Illinois Paramedic license will need to be provided prior to hire date.
Firefighter/Paramedic work includes fire suppression, fire prevention, communications, operating duties, rescue activities and providing emergency medical assistance within advanced life support parameters.
See above minimum qualifications and additional requirements/certifications.Selection Process:
Each phase of the process is pass/fail and required to proceed to the next. Candidates who successfully pass the written exam will be invited to participate in an on-site interview to be held in October. An eligibility list of applicants will be established in numerical order based on a minimum passing score on the written examination and oral interview, which we anticipate posting by November. The Eligibility List is valid for a period of two years from the date of certification or until the list is exhausted. Further participation in our process will take place as vacancies occur. Applicants will be invited, in rank order, to participate in and successfully advance through the following steps:
- Basic interview with representatives of the Fire Rescue and Human Resources Departments
- Character and background investigation
- Polygraph Examination
- In-depth interview with representatives of the Fire Rescue and Human Resources Departments
- Post-offer examinations including but not limited to psychological evaluation, medical examination, vision screening and drug screening.
- All appointments are subject to a probationary period.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department accepts for employment and promotes its employees without regard to perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military status, order of protection status, physical or mental handicap unrelated to ability to perform the essential job functions or any other status or class protected by federal, state, or local law.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department bases its hiring practices and promotions on merit, experience, education and other qualifications applied to all applicants and in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity and as required by any other applicable federal, state, or local law.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons needing accommodations in the recruitment process should notify the City of Crystal Lake Human Resources Department in advance.
All information contained in or connected with this application will be considered personal and confidential to the extent possible or permitted by law and used only in conjunction with your possible employment by the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department. Please furnish us with complete information as outlined in this application.
THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
CPAT/Ladder Climb Tests
Since 2011, Illinois has required that all applicants testing for Firefighter must successfully complete physical agility and ladder climbing tests. Tests are graded only as pass/fail, but you must pass both the physical agility and ladder climb portions to move on to the next step of the process.
What is the CPAT?
The CPAT is designed to assess your physical capacity to perform he tasks ordinarily performed by a Firefighter while on the job. During the test, you will perform a series of events that simulate firefighting activities, which will test your ability to perform a Firefighter’s job. The abilities that will be tested include cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, muscular endurance and flexibility.
Where Do I Take It?
The CPAT and Ladder Climb tests are offered at the following locations in Illinois:
- Huntley Fire Protection District
- Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) in Glenview
- Naperville Fire Department
- Homewood - MABAS 24
- Central Illinois Fire Chiefs (CIFC) in Decatur
Please Note: The City of Crystal Lake does NOT coordinate the CPAT testing. To register for testing and to obtain information about dates and fees, contact the above organizations directly. Each individual applicant is responsible for their own CPAT testing. The City of Crystal Lake is NOT affiliated with any CPAT testing center and does not offer this test.
What Is on the CPAT?
The CPAT consists of eight critical physical tasks that simulate actual job duties on the fire ground. Candidates must successfully complete the following:
- Stair Climb
- Hose Drag
- Equipment Carry
- Ladder Raise & Extension
- Forcible Entry
- Search
- Rescue
- Ceiling Breach & Pull
Illinois law also requires that all new Firefighter candidates must also successfully complete a ladder climb exercise and demonstrate an ability to operate from heights. A certification of completion will be issued to those who successfully complete the exercise. Candidate success is measured on a pass/fail basis. If you are completing the CPAT in a location other than Illinois, ask your facility if they offer this test.
Salary : $81,628 - $120,497
